2027 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools
[Geology & Earth Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/geology-and-earth-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 175 schools to find the best return on investment for geology & earth sciences students.
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Finding the Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences School for You
The geology & earth sciences program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2027 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geology & earth sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools
For return on investment in geology & earth sciences, no school beat Cuny Brooklyn College this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $13,303. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $40,843. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $15,149. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $42,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $48,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Students looking for strong value in geology & earth sciences will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $15,125. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $35,509 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,125 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in geology & earth sciences will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $24,757. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $40,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Florida Online placed #6 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Students borrow a median of $24,757 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $40,691. Set against $24,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno came in at #7 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $83,116 early in their careers. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $49,907 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Murray State University landed the #9 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Students borrow a median of $23,420 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,423 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,420 median debt. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #10 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $24,002 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $48,565. Set against $24,002 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
El Paso Community College came in at #11 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $8,542. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
California State University Long Beach landed the #12 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,732 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $51,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #13 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,375 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $49,406 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Florida International University placed #14 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,517 early in their careers. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #15 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $61,361. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Portland State University placed #16 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $37,831 early in their careers. Set against $24,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of California Merced earned the #18 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,653, compared with $46,541 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,318 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of California Merced generally make around $42,071. Set against $18,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of California San Diego earned the #19 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $79,645 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,101 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Stanford University placed #20 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Houston Downtown placed #21 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,582, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Houston Downtown earn a median of $50,894 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #22 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $37,280 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #23 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,298 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $41,963. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #24 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $70,847. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #25 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $18,969. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $42,779. That is a strong return on a $18,969 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for geology & earth sciences this year:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Geology & Earth Sciences. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 175 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 175 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
